How Long Does It Take To Install an AC Unit? A FL Tech Answers.

One of the most vexing things about calling any technician for any service is the typical vague answer: “We’ll be there anytime between 9:00 and 5:00.”

Alright. So, you make plans to work from home or take the day off, arrange for child pickup from school, and rearrange errands on your calendar. And that’s for minor issues, such as having a leaky faucet fixed or waiting for a mattress delivery.

So what happens when you have to be available for a bigger project, such as an air conditioning system installation? How much time will you have to set aside for that?

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How Long Does It Take to Replace or Install a New AC Unit?

There are many things that come into play when determining how long it’ll take to install an AC system in your home.

• Whether you’re installing a window unit or central air conditioning
• The size of your home
• The size of your family
• The type of insulation in your home

It doesn’t matter how many well-intentioned friends told you that “X” or “Y” air conditioner worked well in their home. Always consult with an HVAC technician. He or she will do a thorough home inspection to recommend the best type of system for your household. After all, it’s one of the biggest investments for your home, so you should have a professional help you to make the right choice.

What Will Influence How Long It’ll Take to Replace an AC Unit?

Generally, one full day should suffice to get the job done. That said, any additional complications will add time and costs to complete the installation. Below are factors to consider when determining the time it will take to install your new AC unit:

Changing the entire system. Let’s face it: If one portion of your air conditioner fails, it’s only a matter of time until the other portion conks out as well (e.g. your condenser unit still works, but the inside portion is dead or vice versa). However, we’d understand that sometimes budgets can make things a bit more complicated. So if you can only change one portion at a time, that’s fine. Just plan on saving for the other part.

Size of your home. The larger your home, the more time it will take to install the new equipment. Consult with an HVAC technician to choose a system appropriate for the size of your home. You’ll need a unit that’s capable of cooling every room in your house evenly.

For each ton of heat that has to be removed from a home, an AC unit needs to have 12,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units). The bigger your home the higher BTUs you’ll need to cool it. If you don’t have an air conditioner with the proper BTUs for your household, your home will never get cool enough.

Location of your home. If you have a single family home or live in a townhouse, the technicians will have more space and leeway to install your new air conditioner. If you reside in a multi-family dwelling, such as a high-rise building, they’ll need more time to complete the installation as access may be more challenging.

The condition of the ductwork in your home. Changes in air pressure, leaks, dust, and mold will eventually demand that you replace your home’s air ducts. If yours have been in use for 10 to 15 years, have a technician inspect them to see if it’s time to replace them.

Nobody wants to break the bank or take money set aside for a nice vacation to replace an air conditioner. So if you want to ensure that your system runs optimally and that you’re not caught off-guard with unexpected expenses, schedule routine maintenance checks. Doing so will allow you advanced notice if your AC is nearing the end of its life. Planning ahead will reduce stress and give you time to budget for a replacement.

Climate Design Can Help

At Climate Design, we provide AC installation, maintenance, and repair services all over Tampa Bay: Clearwater, Largo, Palm Harbor, South Tampa, St. Pete Beach, Eastlake, Tarpon Springs, Safety Harbor, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Palmetto, and New Port Richey.

If you’re looking into installing a new air conditioner, we can help!